'Punish stalkers, fight them off'
Human rights and NGO workers demanded exemplary punishment of all stalkers, especially the killers of Chanpa Rani Bhowmik and Mizanur Rashid.
Eight NGOs and human rights organisations yesterday demanded exemplary punishment to the stalkers involved in the recent incidents of stalking in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
Leaders of eight NGOs and human rights organisations yesterday demanded exemplary punishment to the stalkers involved in the recent incidents of stalking in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity.
Expressing their deep concern over the alarming rise of stalking incidents in the country, they also placed a seven-point demand emphasizing on necessary amendments in the existing laws to protect women from stalking.
Ten men and two women got killed by stalkers while 77 men and 166 women were assaulted since January this year, they said in a written statement.
Moreover, 26 women committed suicide besides a father of a woman victim in this period, they claimed on newspaper reports.
Earlier, the organisations - - Ain-o-Salish Kendra (ASK), Brac, Blast, Karmajibi Nari, Mahila Parishad, Nijera Kari, Nagorik Udyog and Steps - - sent a 12-member team to Chanpa Rani's residence in Faridpur and a 10-member team to Mizanur Rahman's house in Natore on November 1 to investigate into the incidents.
After investigating Faridpur and Natore incidents, they alleged that some quarters are trying to divert the killing incidents to accidents there.
They also demanded security for the victims' families referring to the stalkers' previous criminal records.
Hamida Hossain, chairperson of ASK, expected a more concerted effort especially from the lawmakers and lawyers communities to stop the dangerous trend.
She, however, observed a strong consensus in the mass as well as in the administration against stalkers during the investigation tour.
ASK Director Nina Goshwami read out the statement that also demanded state allocation for education expenses for Chanpa Rani's three daughters, awareness programmes in educational institutions, correction of young stalkers through institutional initiatives.
Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kari, Rokeya Rafique of Karmajibi Nari, Maksuda Laili of Mahila Parishad, Muhsin Ali of Blast, Shipa Hafiza of Brac, Ranjan Karmakar of Steps were also present in the conference.
Speakers at a human chain on Dhaka University campus yesterday demanded exemplary punishment to the stalkers and killers in the country.
For security of girls and women, they also urged the government to set an example by ensuring punishment of the killers.
Demanding the government's stern actions to uproot stalking, Faridpur Muslim Mission Students Association of Dhaka formed a human chain at Aparajeyo Bangla.
Proctor Prof AKM Saiful Islam Khan, Director of Darul Ehsan College Prof Farid Uddin Khan, Principal of Muslim Mission College collage Abdullah Al Mamun and hundreds of students attended the peace protest. The DU proctor urged people for a united protest to eliminate the social malady.
Different organisations yesterday demanded impartial investigation into the suicide of teenage girl Rupali Rani and exemplary punishment to the stalker Sushil Shil, who kidnapped her and kept her confined in a room of his residence in Sirajganj.
In a statement, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam and Maleka Banu demanded necessary measures to ensure security for the victim's family members.
They also demanded formulation of separate law to stop staking and called upon all to launch social movement against stalking.
Another statement of Samajtantrik Mohila Forum said the organisation staged a demonstration rally demanding punishment of the stalkers who were responsible for taking lives of numerous girls.
Meanwhile, leaders of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front demonstrated yesterday on Dhaka University campus with the same demands and announced to hold protest programme in the all the education institutions, thanas, and districts across the country.
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